P.R. Laws tit. 5, § 743
In order to promote the elimination of the cattle tick fever, to prevent its propagation and spread and to eradicate it, the Secretary is hereby empowered, authorized, and directed:
(a) To establish, maintain and enforce the quarantine zones in Puerto Rico and the quarantine lines in and between such zones.
(b) To modify, terminate, renew, and reestablish any quarantine zones.
(c) To quarantine all premises and the property and the cattle thereon, or on any other that the Department has available, when the Secretary or his authorized representatives deem it necessary to prevent contagion with the diseases caused by ticks, and proceed to order the proper treatment to such effects.
(d) To establish, construct, maintain, operate, acquire and use immersion vats, spray pumps, bathing equipment or any other equipment giving similar or better results for the systematic, uniform and effective treatment with tickicides that are designed in the future, as well as fences, corrals or pens.
(e) To enter into contracts, agreements, or other voluntary arrangements with, and to accept and use loans or grants of funds or property from the United States of America or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any agency, department, division or bureau thereof; with and of natural or juridical private persons as established under the laws for such cases.
(f) To use the services of any officer or employee of the United States of America or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, with or without compensation.
(g) To appoint and commission veterinarians, agronomists, livestock inspectors and any other necessary personnel in accordance with the resources available and pursuant to the Puerto Rico Public Personnel Act, Act No. 5 of October 14, 1975, and its regulations.
(h) To employ or contract all necessary services and labor; to purchase all necessary materials and implements; to incur all necessary or proper expenses, and to do all other things that are necessary or proper to carry out the provisions of §§ 741—756 of this title.
(i) To take all necessary veterinary policing measures needed for the protection of Puerto Rico’s livestock.
(j) The Secretary shall establish or modify a quarantine without complying with the requirements established in §§ 741—756 of this title in emergency or unforeseen situations in which the health of the livestock is imminently at risk.
(k) To fix, determine and authorize a reasonable amount to be charged in payment of the expenses necessarily incurred by the Secretary or his authorized representatives for regular and systematic treatments in excess of the treatments required scientifically to eradicate the ticks which, due to the fault, negligence or carelessness of the owner or person in charge of the livestock, are needed, until the herd is clean and free of ticks.
History —May 15, 1936, No. 106, p. 542, § 4; May 6, 1988, No. 24, p. 96, § 4.